which is why they should've waited a little bit later to have her understand what it is, and involve her in the decision making process... Honestly, I don't care if the child is 8 or 7 years old, If they are fully aware of what it is, and what the process is, then they should be involved. Deaf children with hearing parents will be grateful for what their parents have done for them, whether its getting a CI, a hearing aid, or just exposing them to the deaf world, they will be appreciative.
It just hurts me to see a parents immediately going ahead, implanting their baby or their toddler as soon as they find out their child is deaf. I mean, there is nothing wrong with them, We can do anything, we just can't hear. And I don't know if they can accept that or not. Because we will never know if they love going down plan "A" path-- no hearing devices, Plan "B"--hearing aids, or plan "C"--cochlear implants. Doesn't anybody have a clue what these kids might be feeling? Have you asked your child if they really liked their CIs? My parents were always worried I wouldn't like my CI because of the criticism of CI that people today are talking about. I tell my parents that I'm appreciative of them, And that I wish i was able to stay on my hearing aids longer. But I had 2 choices, I could've just stayed plain deaf.. Or i could get the cochlear implant. IF their child isn't wearing their CI, everyday, every month, every year; then its a waste of their money. This is part of the reason why I believe that they should have involve their child in the process decision making of the possibilities of getting a cochlear implant.
Look at it this way in a different perspective... Say, you're a model, and your boss immediately wants you to get plastic surgery to get a better presentation to yourself out in the public, to get recognized, You want to talk to your boss about this, but he does not want to hear it and you're being ignored. You have two choices, To get plastic surgery to follow your boss's wish, or get fired. the job pays well too.. this is a hard decision, what would you choose?-- this may be off topic, but still, This is kind of what i'm trying to point out with a child VS a parents implanting their child.